SANDY, Utah (Sept. 14, 2025) – The Houston Dash dropped points this afternoon as they fell 2-0 to Utah Royals FC at America First Field. The loss snapped Houston’s six-game unbeaten streak and this was Houston’s first loss since a visit to North Carolina on June 21. The team closes the weekend in 10th place and three points shy of the eighth and final playoff spot with six games left in the regular season.
Today’s match marked a historic milestone for the club, as the Dash became the sixth team in league history to reach 250 regular season games. Defender Allysha Chapman has competed in 100 of those matches and today’s game marked her 100th league appearance for the team. She is the fifth player to reach that milestone for the team. Italian international Lisa Boattin made her NWSL debut in the 60th minute. The defender is one of four players the team signed over the last month. The defender finished with three recoveries.
Utah took the lead in the fourth minute when Kaleigh Riehl headed in a corner kick from Cloé Lacasse. Utah doubled their lead in the 45th minute with a long-range effort from Paige Monaghan found the inside of the far post.
Houston’s first opportunity of the game came in the 12th minute following a corner kick from midfielder Delanie Sheehanthat found defender Katie Lind near the top of the box. Lind’s header just missed the inside of the far post.
Midfielder Kiki Van Zanten won the ball in the final third and played a pass to forward Clarissa Larisey in the 24th minute. The Canadian international created space for a shot, but her effort was off target. Larisey earned her second start of the season today. The forward scored her first goal for the club and tallied an assist last Sunday in Houston’s 3-0 victory over San Diego Wave FC.
Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell was called into action in the 27th minute to deny Janni Thomsen at the near post. The Dash captain finished with five saves against Utah tonight.
Lacasse almost doubled Utah’s lead in the 33rd minute, but she was ruled offside following a review with the Video Referee Assistant, Anya Voigt.
Houston’s first opportunity of the second half came in the 52nd minute after Sheehan found forward Messiah Brightinside the box. The TCU alum created space for a shot that was blocked at the near post, however the Dash lost possession once the forward was called offside.
Campbell was called into action moments later and she was well positioned at the near post to deny Lacasse. The Dash goalkeeper was well positioned in the 58th minute to save a header from Monaghan.
Houston created another chance in the 88th minute when forward Evelina Diljan took a shot from distance, aiming for the upper corner, but her effort landed on the top of the netting.
The Dash return to Shell Energy Stadium to celebrate Noche Latina on Friday, Sept. 19 when they host Chicago Stars FC. Tickets for that match and all Dash matches are available at HoustonDash.com
